TAMIU to Host The Big Event, Annual Day of Service Saturday, March 28

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students, faculty, staff and alumni volunteers will roll up their sleeves during The Big Event, a day of service focusing on the betterment of their local community.  

This year, The Big Event is happening Saturday, March 28. The annual day of service highlights TAMIU’s commitment to civic engagement and community partnership. Some 600+ volunteers have already signed up, demonstrating the University’s continued dedication to making a meaningful local impact.

Service projects will take place at multiple locations, including the South Texas Food Bank, the Chacón Creek Hike and Bike Trail (starting from Arturo Benavides Park to Maria Elida Benavides Park), and the Paso Del Indio Nature Trail.

At the South Texas Food Bank, volunteers will assist with cleaning warehouse racks, processing food, supporting community food distribution, and beautifying garden beds. Along the Chacón Creek Hike and Bike Trail, volunteers will repaint basketball courts, cover graffiti, and participate in litter cleanup and park improvement efforts.

While at the Paso Del Indio Nature Trail, volunteers will focus on removing dry plants and clearing walking paths to enhance the space for community use.

The Big Event is made possible through a collaborative partnership between the University, Laredo College, the City of Laredo, South Texas Food Bank, the Student Government Association’s Leaders Organizing Volunteer Events (L.O.V.E.) Committee, the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), H-E-B, the Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability (LCUAS), Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center, and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages.

“The Big Event is a powerful reflection of what can be accomplished when our University and community come together with a shared purpose,” said Priscilla A. Cadena, program manager for the University’s Office of Student Affairs.

Cadena reiterated, “Seeing hundreds of volunteers step forward to serve Laredo through hands-on projects is inspiring. This event not only strengthens our community but also fosters a lifelong commitment to service and leadership among our students.”

Since its launch at TAMIU in 2010, The Big Event has posted some record-breaking feats, with 3,000+ volunteers generating a $1.6+M monetary impact to the community through a combined 65,000+ community service hours.  

Past The Big Event volunteer opportunities have taken place at the Haynes Recreation Center, Arturo Benavides Park, and Slaughter Park, Canta Ranas Neighborhood, North Central Park, Las Palmas Nature Trail,  Los Tres Laredos Park, the Santo Niño Neighborhood, the Laredo Housing Authority, the South Texas Food Bank, Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, Slaughter Park, and more. For a look back at past events, visit https://go.tamiu.edu/serve.  

For more information about The Big Event, contact the TAMIU Office of Student Affairs at 956.326.2265 or visit https://www.tamiu.edu/studentaffairs/.

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